Six fought-over Brent libraries will remain shut for evermore

THE six Brent libraries at the heart of a High Court ruling this morning have already closed and will not re-open.

The Labour-run authority had shut the half a dozen branches - Barham Park, Cricklewood, Kensal Rise, Neasden, Preston and Tokyngton - in anticipation of the judgment being handed down in the case launched by Brent SOS Libraries.

Staff were briefed about the judgment and the council has now taken the decision to keep the doors locked permanently as they implement their delayed £1million saving plans with immediate effect.

Former Tory Brent councillor Jack Sayers, of Halford Road near Cricklewood Library, said: "There were two police officers outside Cricklewood Library today as there has been some talk of a protest and I have heard that the library is going to be boarded up this evening.

"It is absolutely scandalous what they are trying to do, everybody is against what they are doing, it is just unbelievable that they are trying to close these libraries.

"It's a massive loss. I know that lots of children and parents use it, and lots of elderly people go there where it's warm to read the papers, where will they all go now?"

Speaking to the Observer after it was revealed that campaigners were denied the opportunity to appeal the judgment, leader of the council, Councillor Ann John (Labour), said original plans would go ahead straight away.

She said: "This is a comprehensive result and we will go ahead with the plans to improve Brent's library service immediately.

"It may take some time to move stock over to the remaining libraries but this will done as quickly as possible, and we will move to the seven days a week opening times as of this weekend."